Upper School English Teacher for the Catalyst Program - Starting August 2026

Description

Menlo School seeks a passionate, innovative educator to join as a full-time Upper School English teacher in the Catalyst Semester program starting in August 2026. Catalyst is an exciting and immersive program that empowers juniors to develop leadership skills while tackling complex global challenges through an integrated, experiential, and interdisciplinary curriculum. The program’s primary focus is on case studies related to climate resilience and adaptation, combining rigorous academics with real-world problem-solving in partnership with Bay Area leaders and organizations.

Catalyst operates as a school-within-the-school at Menlo, and serves a small cohort of up to approximately 18 students per semester. Given the highly collaborative and experiential nature of the program, faculty who serve in it should feel comfortable taking on not only classroom but also administrative and leadership roles; designing innovative and responsive curriculum; and working extremely closely with a tight-knit teaching team and ambitious, curious students.

We encourage you to review the Catalyst program overview closely before applying.

Responsibilities

Teaching & Learning

• Teach up to 18 students in your subject area per semester, including differentiating within the same classroom for any students who elect into the Honors option.

• Support the Leadership Seminar by mentoring a small group of students (3-5) in social-emotional skills, self-reflection, and leadership development.

• Coordinate Leadership Seminar activities, as necessary, with guest speakers and alumni mentors.

• Co-teach interdisciplinary lessons or projects, collaborating closely with fellow faculty members. This may include blending class periods/lessons with another faculty member or leading a workshop in another teacher’s class period.

• Design and teach a curriculum that integrates your subject expertise with themes of leadership, sustainability, and systems thinking.

• Develop innovative, cross-disciplinary capstone projects that provide students opportunities for authentic feedback.

• Guide students through fieldwork, case studies, and hands-on projects across the Bay Area.

• Regularly observe and reflect on colleagues’ teaching practices to foster collaborative growth.

Administrative Leadership

• Lead in a core administrative role, in addition to teaching, such as, but not limited to, ensuring excellent outcomes in student life and culture, student support, communications and outreach, admissions and recruitment, academics, and/or off-campus experiences.

Program Development

• Collaborate with Catalyst faculty to design interdisciplinary learning experiences aligned with program themes.

• Participate in ongoing program refinement and contribute to the program’s evolution.

• Build relationships with industry partners, subject matter experts, and community organizations to support curriculum goals.

Experiential Learning

• Organize and lead weekly off-campus learning experiences with Bay Area professionals and organizations.

• Plan and lead a 3-day overnight retreat at the start of each semester.

• Recruit and host guest speakers for on-campus learning experiences and student mentorship.

Student Support

• Mentor students in their academic and personal growth, providing regular, constructive feedback to develop leadership and problem-solving skills.

• Serve as an advisor to up to five students, supporting their holistic growth throughout the program.

Community Engagement

• Participate in student recruitment events, such as open houses and shadow days, to attract prospective Catalyst participants.

• Support the application process by reading applications, conducting interviews, and answering prospective students’ questions.

• Engage actively in the broader Menlo School community, attending faculty meetings, school events, and other activities as needed.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess at a minimum:

• A bachelor’s degree (master’s or higher preferred).

• 4-5 years of teaching experience, preferably at the secondary or university level.

• Demonstrated experience designing innovative curriculum and authentic and/or interdisciplinary assessments.

• Expertise in case-study-based teaching, project-based learning, or interdisciplinary curriculum development.

• Experience with and/or passion for experiential learning

• Skill in differentiating to both scaffold and extend student learning, particularly in high-achieving populations

• Leadership experience in teaching teams, program development, or administrative roles.

• Strong collaboration skills and experience co-teaching or designing cross-curricular connections

• Interest in systems thinking and sustainability, and a commitment to experiential learning.

• Enthusiasm for mentoring and supporting students’ individual growth as leaders.

• Flexibility, adaptability, and comfort working in a dynamic and evolving program.

• A demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships with all students: they actively cultivate environments in which students feel included, challenged, and known

We offer:

• An exceptional work environment and caring community

• Highly competitive salary

• A comprehensive benefits package, including generous contributions to a retirement plan for eligible employees and their families. Learn more by going to https://www.menloschool.org/employment-benefits.php.

To be considered for this position, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience through our application portal.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest and will reach out only to those most closely aligned with the position's needs.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position.

We look forward to hearing from you!

About us:

Menlo School is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory school for students in grades six through twelve. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley and founded in 1915, the School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the National and California Associations of Independent Schools.

Menlo is dedicated to providing a joyful, transformative education that empowers students to explore broadly, think critically, act responsibly, and navigate the complexities of an evolving world. Our relevant and engaging academic program—complemented by outstanding arts and athletics—sparks wonder, fosters a love of learning, and inspires students to reach their full potential as they grow in competence, confidence, and curiosity. Student care and the supportive relationships students build with teachers, coaches, and peers are at the heart of all we do as we uphold the highest ethical standards, develop character, and pursue a shared commitment to purposes larger than ourselves.

At Menlo, belonging is essential to who we are as a school. We embrace the growth and well-being of every member of our community by cultivating a culture rooted in kindness, trust, and belonging—one where everyone feels welcomed, included, and valued, and where our diverse backgrounds, identities, and ideas are honored with curiosity, care, and compassion.

Learn more about the Menlo School here.

Our equal opportunity employment policy:

Menlo School is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants. We administer all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or domestic partnership status, disability, protected veteran status or military

status, genetic information, or any other category protected under applicable law.

Pay range:

In the spirit of pay transparency, we share the base salary range for this position for the 2025-2026 academic year. Our Faculty have a wide range of experience. We have teachers who are relatively new to the profession and those who have expertly taught for over 30 years. The full pay range, which encompasses all experience levels, is $97,00 - $182,000. Within this broad range, we pay each Faculty member in accordance with what could be reasonably expected based on an individual's experience level. Base salary is exclusive of fringe benefits, retirement plan employer contributions, or potential stipends (for eligible employees). Pay ranges at Menlo are reasonable estimates of what the School anticipates paying for a role, but are not guaranteed. If hired at Menlo School, your final base salary will be determined by factors such as skills, education, experience, job level, part-time status, and number of months of work per academic year. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity with our current employees as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that the generous range mentioned above is the full base salary range for the role. Hiring at the upper end of the range is not typical at Menlo School to allow for future and continued salary growth.

Notice to recruitment agencies and third‑party recruiters: Menlo School does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from external recruiters or recruitment agencies. Any resumes submitted without a prior signed written agreement in place with Human Resources will be deemed the property of the School, and no fees will be paid.

JOB ID: 373